Itsmyluckyday, with regular rider Paco Lopez, took his spot just behind Moreno as the field made their way into the first turn. Lopez was content to sit just off the somewhat headstrong pacesetter through six furlongs in a solid 1:10.94.

Lopez started to urge Itsmyluckyday on going into the turn and was on even terms with Moreno with a quarter-mile to run. The two locked into a heated, stretch-long battle, exchanging several bumps in deep stretch. In the final strides, Itsmyluckyday summoned the courage to pull ahead and complete the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:48.84.

Eddie Plesa was effusive in his praise of his colt’s effort.

"It's like when you have a child that does something out of the ordinary, exceptional, that you know he could do; that's what it felt like," the trainer said. "I mean, horses aren't your children, but we take great pride in our horses; we take great pride in our craft. He did what he needed to do in a manner nobody would dispute was spot on and that he was the best horse today."

Itsmyluckyday’s remarkable career now includes eight stakes wins and earnings of $1,662,600. While Plesa didn’t directly outline the 4-year-old’s next race, the ultimate goal is the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park.